Heredity and Alcoholism

While the common belief is that alcoholism is something that a person develops on her own, there is a rising belief that there may be hereditary and genetic components to alcohol addiction. Many experts believe that alcoholism can come from a variety of sources, including social, genetic, and psychological factors. Because alcoholism is a disease, it can be influenced or caused by different things, both in the environment and in a person’s genetic makeup. To help aid in treating alcoholism, researchers are actively seeking out the genetic sequences that may be responsible for making people vulnerable to developing alcoholism.

At Orchid Recovery Center, we can help you if you’re suffering from alcoholism, or if you have family members who are suffering from the effects of alcoholism or alcohol abuse. We specialize in treating women who are suffering from substance abuse and addiction, and we can help you break your addiction and discover a life without drugs and alcohol.

Heredity and Alcoholism: Genes

It is true that alcoholism tends to be passed down in families from parent to child, and one of the explanations for this are genetic factors, which influence a person’s susceptibility to becoming alcoholic. Other factors influence the development of alcoholism, as well, including the environment they are raised in. Not all children of alcoholics become alcoholics themselves, though. Around half of the children of alcoholics never become alcoholic in their lives, and it is not an automatic guarantee that you will become an alcoholic if one or both of your parents are alcoholics. It is simply a higher risk factor.

Heredity and Alcoholism: Environment

In addition to exploring the links between genetics and alcoholism, researchers are also trying to find out how much the environment a person is raised in can affect their susceptibility to alcoholism. Studies thus far have suggested that a person has a higher risk of developing alcoholism if they are raised in a family atmosphere where their parents abuse alcohol or drugs, alcohol abuse is severe or one in which there is a high level of violence and tension.

Heredity and Alcoholism: Behaviors in Children of Alcoholics

According to the NCADI, children of alcoholic parents may have other characteristics than just a higher risk at developing alcoholic tendencies when they grow up. They may also be at a greater risk of developing drug addictions, having higher stress levels, do worse in school or at jobs and have difficulty coping with problems or challenges in life. Children of alcoholics can learn to live healthy, full lives, but it’s important to realize that one of the best ways to help this happen is to raise them in an environment that is warm, welcoming and friendly, and is free from problems such as addiction, stress and violence.

Alcohol Rehab at Orchid Recovery Center

At Orchid Recovery Center, we provide women with the very best alcohol addiction treatment and care. Our unique approach utilizes a holistic system that attacks addiction from multiple angles and addresses all aspects of addiction, including physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and mental ones. At Orchid Recovery Center, we care about your long-term wellbeing and will do everything possible to help you make a full and lasting recovery from your addictions. Contact us today for more information.